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Call 12 for Action helps recover 6 of 8 paintings; 2 others located

“Slience” by Flavio E. Cabral. Call 12 for Action tracked the 20th-century oil from a defunct Phoenix consignment store. "Silence" was one of eight paintings owned by ElJuana Hermansen that disappeared from the store before the owner went out of business.

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Call 12 for Action helps recover 6 of 8 paintings; 2 others located

“Slience” by Flavio E. Cabral. Call 12 for Action tracked the 20th-century oil from a defunct Phoenix consignment store. "Silence" was one of eight paintings owned by ElJuana Hermansen that disappeared from the store before the owner went out of business. Chad Bricks / 12 News

Levine talks to Hermansen about his efforts to recover the painting. Levine bought back the painting from a local buyer who willingly returned it once he realized it had been stolen. Patrick Breen / The Republic

In February, Hermansen contracted with Camelback Consign and Designer owner Mike Burns to sell eight paintings. Burns told her four of the paintings were worth a total of $350,000. Patrick Breen / The Arizona Republic

Hermansen sifts through thousands of pieces of merchandise left at Camelback Consign and Design when the store went out of business. The landlords are trying to help customers recover merchandise. Patrick Breen / The Republic

Hermansen's paintings are 19th- and 20th-century oils that belonged to her late father, who obtained them in the 1950s."Dutch Door" by Robert Sauber was one of five paintings returned to her by Mike Burns after a Call 12 for Action investigation. Courtesy of El Juana Hermansen

Burns first said the paintings were worth an estimated $350,000. Then he said they were worthless reproductions and that he never had sold any of the paintings. For months, he refused to return the artwork.This painting was returned Thursday, June 5. Courtesy of El Juana Hermansen

Burns told Call 12 for Action several times over the past three weeks that he would return Hermansen’s paintings, only to renege. Burns said he was evicted and couldn't get access to the store from his landlords.This painting was returned Thursday, June 5. Courtesy of ElJuana Hermansen

Burns’ landlords dispute his claim, saying they have been attempting to contact him for weeks about returning merchandise to customers. They said they are trying to help as many customers as they can, but the store has been mostly emptied out.This painting was returned Thursday, June 5. Courtesy of El Juana Hermansen

Burns faces dozens of consumer complaints and he confirmed last week that he has been subpoenaed by the Arizona Attorney General's Office.This painting was returned Thursday, June 5. Courtesy of El Juana Hermansen

Hermansen said Burns told her he had a buyer willing to pay $100,000 for two paintings by Edouard Leon Cortes, including this one called "Paris in the Evening." The owner of Biltmore Loan and Jewelry confirmed on June 20 that this painting was one of two found at his pawnshop. David Goldstein said Burns borrowed against the paintings on a 90-day loan. He said when Burns defaulted on the loan, the computer system alerted Goldstein's staff, who recognized the paintings as two of those featured in a Call 12 for Action investigation. Courtesy of El Juana Hermansen

Burns has yet to return this painting to Hermansen. In a June 15 story, he was quoted as saying the painting was with art experts who would prove it was a forgery. He would not say where the painting is located. On June 20, the owner of Biltmore Loan and Jewelry confirmed this painting was one of two at his pawn shop. Courtesy of El Juana Hermansen